‘Hot turtle summer’: JJ Watt takes notice of turtle effort in Houston after turtle named after him

HOUSTON – A turtle named after J.J. Watt is getting notice from the former Houston Texans defensive end.

Watt retweeted an article written by KPRC 2 on Wednesday morning, commenting on the turtle rescue efforts by the Turtle Survival Alliance in the Houston-area.

“You got this, big guy,” he wrote on Twitter, adding several turtle emojis. “Hot Turtle Summer on deck.”

The turtle, who was named in honor of Watt, was the 99th alligator-snapping turtle to be captured, researched, and then released in the wild in an effort to save the ailing species in Houston’s bayous and waterways. The number gave inspiration to name the turtle in honor of the defensive end.

Turtle Survival Alliance, the organization that is part of the turtle rescue efforts responded to Watt’s retweet with an invitation to meet the turtle or a turtle similar to him.

“Thank you for sharing, @JJWatt!” they wrote on Twitter, “Let us know when you would like to meet JJ the Alligator Snapper, or another one like him in the Bayou, We will introduce you!”

Social media, especially Twitter responded to ‘Hot Turtle Summer’ from JJ Watt: